The Diocese in Europe encourages the discernment of vocation
THE DIOCESE IN EUROPE
DIOCESAN VOCATIONS POLICY
FOR THOSE EXPLORING READER MINISTRY
‘Readers are called to exercise a preaching and teaching ministry in the church. They may also be involved in pastoral and educational work, evangelism and other forms of lay leadership. Many Readers are able to bring theological resources to people in the communities where they live and work.’ (Selection for Reader Ministry)
Over 10,000 people are licensed as Readers in the Church of England. They are women and men committed to serve the Church, who have been licensed by their Bishop to work as licensed lay ministers of the Gospel alongside their lay and ordained colleagues.
The main role of Readers in the Diocese in Europe is both liturgical and educational. As well as preaching and leading non-Eucharistic services, Readers may teach children and adults, prepare people for baptism and confirmation, and lead discussion groups and study courses. They may also in some cases take funerals.
Reader ministry stretches far beyond the chaplaincy or congregation. At home or at work, Readers meet people where they are. Like every Christian they have good news to share, but their training and their experience give them an extra dimension when it comes to talking about faith, listening sensitively and offering pastoral support.
There are currently over one hundred Readers in the Diocese in Europe and nearly forty are in training. Increasing numbers of experienced Readers are moving into the Diocese and offering themselves for ministry. We are very privileged to have this growing body of committed, trained and hard working men and women who give their time voluntarily to serve God, undertaking a wide range of commitments within their Chaplaincies, in the Archdeaconries and the Diocese and in the wider church and community.
Called to Reader Ministry?
If you believe that you may be called to Reader ministry, this should be discussed initially with your Chaplain. You will need his or her support, together with that of the Chaplaincy Council at every stage of the process.
You might find it helpful to discuss your call with someone outside the context of the Chaplaincy. If so, you should ask your Chaplain to contact one of the Area Vocations Advisors who can help you to discern which ministry may be appropriate for you.
You can find the names and contact details of the Area Vocations Advisors in the Diocesan Yearbook or by contacting the Warden of Readers.
If you believe that your call is to Reader Ministry, you will need to contact Margaret Jeffery, the Ministry Team Administrator, and request a Reader Handbook which includes an application form. As part of the process, you will be asked to describe your Christian journey and your sense of calling. Your Chaplain will need to commend you in writing and you should name two further referees. You will also need to complete an ethnic monitoring form. The Chaplaincy Council must consider the financial implications and pass and minute a resolution of support and sponsorship for you.
Your completed application form should be returned to Bishop David, the Warden of Readers, who will arrange for Margaret Jeffery to send you the documents which will enable you to comply with Child Protection regulations. You must fill these in and supply the supporting documentation.
The Warden of Readers will also arrange for you to have an interview to discuss your application. This may be with one of the Bishops, the Director of Training, with an Assistant Director of Ordinands or with another person designated by the Suffragan Bishop.
Please keep in mind that a considerable period of time may be involved in the various aspects of processing your application form for Reader Ministry.
Selection Criteria
The Guidelines of the Archbishops’ Council’s Ministry Division summarise the selection criteria for Reader Ministry as follows.
1. Ministry in the Church of England
Candidates must be baptised and confirmed and regular communicants of the Church of England and be familiar with its traditions and practices.
2. Vocation
Candidates should be able to speak of their own sense of vocation to ministry and mission, referring both to personal conviction and to the extent to which others have confirmed it. Their sense of vocation should be obedient, realistic and informed.
3. Faith
Candidates should show an understanding of the Christian faith and a desire to deepen that understanding. They should demonstrate personal commitment to Christ and a capacity to communicate the Gospel.
4. Spirituality and worship
Candidates should show evidence of commitment to a spiritual discipline which involves individual and corporate prayer and worship. Their spiritual practice should be such as to sustain and energise them in their daily lives.
5. Personality and character
Candidates should be sufficiently mature and stable to show that they can sustain the demanding role of a minister and to face change and pressure in a flexible and balanced way. They should be seen to be people of integrity.
6. Relationships
Candidates should demonstrate self-awareness and self-acceptance as a basis for developing open and healthy personal and pastoral relationships as ministers.
7. Potential for training
Candidates should be capable of undertaking satisfactorily a course of study and ministerial preparation with an open and enquiring mind.
8. Leadership and collaboration
Candidates should show the potential to offer wise leadership in the church community and to some extent beyond it. They should also show ability and willingness to co-operate with other ministers and to work as team members as well as leaders.
In the Diocese in Europe, two further criteria must also be taken into consideration:
9. Proficiency in English
Demonstrated proficiency in English is a requirement for all candidates for whom English is not a first language.
10. Age
Candidates for Reader Ministry will generally be aged between twenty three and seventy. If you are outside these age limits but feel strongly called to this ministry, your case will be considered on its merits. You should note, however, that Permission to Officiate (PTO) rather than a licence will be issued to those over seventy.
If you are already a licensed Lay Preacher or equivalent in a church with which the Church of England is in communion or has entered into an ecumenical agreement, you may be able to apply for Permission to Officiate under the Ecumenical Canons. Please contact the Warden of Readers.
Preparing to train as a Reader
Training for Reader Ministry is demanding, calling for self-discipline and a considerable investment of time and energy.
On average, you should expect to set aside 8-10 hours a week. It is therefore recommended that as a candidate preparing to train for Reader Ministry:
- you give up most of your other church activities
- develop your pattern of private prayer
- discuss the demands of the course fully with anyone you think might be affected, especially family and friends
- set up an informal support group in the congregation
- find a Spiritual Director
- negotiate time and space for studying
- complete a Ministry Agreement with your Chaplain
The training course will normally take between two and three years, but if extra time is required, you can apply to the Director of Training for permission to extend your studies for a fourth year. The cost of training should, if at all possible, be borne by your Chaplaincy Council. The fee for each module is currently about £110. Invoices will be sent to the Chaplaincy by the Diocesan Finance Officer. It is recommended that the Chaplaincy provide a book grant during training of £50 per annum.
Exemptions from some parts of the academic training course may be given to suitably qualified candidates. These will be agreed with the Director of Training before the beginning of the course.
Academic Study
The academic course consists primarily of six modules from the St. John’s Nottingham Extension Studies Department with which the Diocese in Europe works in partnership.
The modules are:
1. Old Testament Introduction
2. New Testament Introduction
3. The Creeds – Their Making and Message
4. Christian Ethics
5. Common Worship
6. Anglicanism: Something in Common
These modules cover the core curriculum as required by the National Guidelines for Reader Training.
The academic modules are complemented by training in preaching, teaching and pastoral care which will mainly take place in your Chaplaincy.
Certificate in Christian Studies
St. John’s Nottingham Extension Studies Department offers a Certificate in Christian Studies. This requires completion of six modules plus attendance at a Summer School (or a dissertation, or a further module in combination with a theological reflection).
Whereas this is recommended, the funding for the Summer School will have to be arranged by the individual or an arrangement may be agreed with the Chaplaincy.
Assessment forms for Preaching and Liturgical Leadership should be completed by the Chaplain and selected members of the congregation on a regular basis while a candidate is training, and these forms should be returned to the Director of Training.
At the end of training and before the decision to license, the Chaplain should complete the Training Assessment Report and return this to the Director of Training.
Training Events
Diocesan workshops for Readers and Readers in training usually take place twice a year, either in the UK or on a regional basis in different parts of the Diocese.
The workshops last for two days and cover areas of theological or pastoral issues relevant to Reader Ministry. These events offer Readers an opportunity for further training and fellowship and provide a welcome occasion for Readers from different parts of the Diocese to meet and share experiences.
Admission and Licensing as Reader
The final decision whether to recommend candidates for admission as Readers will be made towards the end of the training course by the Warden of Readers and the Director of Training, taking into account the Chaplain’s recommendation.
A Reader’s licence will be for three years initially and can be renewed until the Reader reaches the age of 70. A Ministry Agreement should be completed by the Reader and the incumbent prior to licensing and a copy of this should be returned to the Warden of Readers. The Reader’s ministry will be reviewed every three years by the incumbent and a revised Ministry Agreement should be agreed prior to re-licensing.
Liturgical dress for Readers is generally cassock, surplice and the distinctive blue Reader scarf. If your Chaplain agrees, you may instead wear a cassock alb and a Reader scarf.
Readers from other Dioceses
A Reader from another Diocese in the Church of England who wishes to transfer his or her licence to the Diocese in Europe, or who wishes to be given Permission to Officiate, must first of all receive the support of the Chaplain and the Council of the Chaplaincy in which he or she wishes to minister.
This should be conveyed in writing to the Ministry Team Administrator at Diocesan Office.
A copy of the certificate of admission and most recent licence should be sent to the Ministry Team Administrator by the Reader concerned. The Administrator will arrange for Child Protection declarations to be made and any necessary subsequent checks to be undertaken. She will also seek a reference from the Warden of Readers of the relevant Diocese in the UK.
Once these steps have been completed, the Warden of Readers in the Diocese in Europe will arrange for licensing to take place or grant Permission to Officiate. The policy on the term of the licence outlined above will apply.
Further information concerning Reader training in the Diocese in Europe can be found in the Reader Handbook and by contacting Margaret Jeffery, the Reader Administrator, at
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